Lanikai FMC Concert Uke w/Gigbag

The Lanikai FM-C Concert Ukulele with Gig Bag (often abbreviated as FMC) is a popular model known for its striking flamed maple aesthetics and bright, crisp tone. Lanikai is a well-respected ukulele brand, and this model is designed to offer a balance of visual appeal, comfortable playability, and good sound for its price point.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Key Features & Specifications:

• Size: Concert. This is a very popular and versatile ukulele size, offering a good balance between the portability of a soprano and the fuller tone and longer scale of a tenor. It provides more fret access, making it comfortable for various playing styles and hand sizes.

  • Scale Length: Approximately 14.8 inches (376 mm)

  • Nut Width: Approximately 1.472 inches (37.4mm), which is slightly wider than some standard ukuleles, contributing to player comfort.

• Body Wood: Laminated Flamed Maple Top, Back, and Sides.

  • Flamed Maple: This is the defining aesthetic feature. "Flamed" or "figured" maple has a wavy, ripple-like pattern in the grain, creating a beautiful visual effect that makes each instrument unique. It's highly prized for its beauty.

  • Maple as a Tonewood: Maple is known for producing a bright, clear, and articulate tone with good note separation and a slightly fuller mid-range. It offers good projection.

  • Laminated Construction: The maple is laminated (layered wood). While not solid wood, this construction method provides:

    • Durability and Stability: Laminated instruments are more resistant to changes in humidity and temperature, making them a good choice for travel or varying environments.

    • Visual Appeal: It allows the beautiful flamed maple figuring to be showcased at a more accessible price point.

• Neck Material: Okoume. Okoume is a strong and stable wood that is tonally similar to mahogany, contributing to overall warmth and stability.

• Fingerboard Material: Walnut or Rosewood. Both are durable and provide a smooth playing surface. It typically features white dot inlays for fret markers.

• Finish: Satin. A smooth satin finish allows the wood to resonate freely, contributing to an open sound. It also feels comfortable to play and reduces stickiness.

• Binding: Features Single-Ply Natural Bloodwood Binding around the body and fingerboard. This beautiful reddish-brown wood binding provides an elegant contrast to the flamed maple, enhancing the instrument's visual appeal and offering structural integrity.

• Rosette: Features a Bloodwood single band inlay rosette around the soundhole, complementing the body binding.

• Nut & Saddle: NuBone XB. This is an upgraded synthetic material designed to provide enhanced sustain and clear tone by improving string vibration transfer, similar to bone.

• Tuners: Smooth Action Chrome Open Back Tuners. These tuners offer precise tuning accuracy and contribute to a lighter headstock, which can improve overall balance and player comfort.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with D'Addario EJ88 Strings. D'Addario is a highly reputable string manufacturer, and these strings are known for their warm tone and excellent intonation.

• Bridge: Walnut 8-Hole No-Tie Bridge. This is a very convenient feature that simplifies string changes compared to traditional tie-bar bridges, as you just insert the string ends into the holes.

• Strap Buttons: Comes standard with two chrome strap buttons (one on the lower bout, one on the neck heel) for convenience, safety, and comfort, allowing easy attachment of a ukulele strap.

• Electronics: None. This is an acoustic-only ukulele. (Note: There might be an FMCEC model for Concert with EQ).

Included Accessory:

• Padded Gig Bag: A significant plus, the Lanikai FM-C typically comes with a Lanikai black nylon 20mm padded plush gig bag. This provides good protection for the instrument during transport and storage, which is particularly valuable for protecting its attractive finish.

Overall Impression:

The Lanikai FM-C Flamed Maple Concert Ukulele with Gig Bag is an excellent choice for:

• Players who prioritize aesthetics: The flamed maple and bloodwood binding make it a visually stunning instrument that truly stands out.

• Beginners and Intermediate Players: It offers a comfortable playing experience (especially with the wider nut), reliable tuning, and a bright, crisp tone that's engaging and clear.

• Those seeking good value: It combines premium aesthetic features with quality components and an included gig bag at a competitive price point.

• Players looking for a brighter tone: Compared to mahogany ukuleles, the maple construction will provide a more articulate and punchy sound.

It's a very well-rounded instrument that combines beauty, playability, and good tone, making it a highly appealing option in the concert ukulele market.